Financial Aid Officer (On-site in Arlington)

Arizona College of Nursing; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona College of Nursing is seeking a Financial Aid Officer to guide students through the financial aid process across the student lifecycle— from enrollment to graduation. You will explain funding sources, assist with FAFSA, and help students manage loans and budgeting.

The role requires strong communication, organizational skills, and a customer-service orientation to support student success and ensure timely aid disbursement. This is a full-time onsite position at our Arlington campus.

Qualifications

• Provide financial aid counseling and support to students and families.
• Assist with FAFSA completion, verification, and award acceptance.
• Explain loan terms and budgeting concepts clearly.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with regulations.

Responsibilities

• Counsel students on eligibility, procedures, and funding sources including Title IV aid and scholarships.
• Package and process financial aid awards in compliance with laws and institutional policies.
• Communicate with students to ensure timely disbursement of aid and retention.
• Collaborate with academic and student services teams to support student success.

Skills

Financial aid counseling

Student services

Communication

Organizational skills

Customer service

Education

Associate or bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Job description

Why You Should Work With Us:

Arizona College of Nursing is a rapidly growing, nursing school that transforms people’s lives by preparing them for careers in nursing and improving communities through the care its graduates provide. As a leading nurse educator, Arizona College of Nursing offers students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s in nursing in 3 years or less with qualified transfer credits. Our quality nursing curriculum prepares students for an in-demand career to help communities overcome the chronic, well-known, and increasing nursing shortage. Through the execution of a targeted growth strategy, the college plans to meet the growing demand for nurses by launching campuses in markets where bachelor’s prepared nurses are needed.

Putting students first, we are dedicated to providing students with an exceptional education in growing healthcare fields; teaching them relevant, required skills for today and the future. Our culture is positive, supportive, and collaborative. As a team, we continually embrace our core values:

Passion: We love helping others succeed.

Excellence: We strive to be the best.

Adaptability: We learn, in part by trying new ideas.

Accountability: We own our results.

Integrity: We do the right thing.

What You'll Do:

The Financial Aid Officer (FAO) serves as the first-level position within the financial aid colleague job family. FAOs are essential in supporting student success by delivering personalized, proactive financial aid guidance throughout the student lifecycle—from initial enrollment to graduation.

Essential Functions:

Financial Aid Counseling & Support

• Advise students and families on financial aid eligibility, application procedures, and available funding sources, including Title IV aid, institutional loans, scholarships, and agency assistance.


• Support students through FAFSA completion, verification, and award acceptance.


• Cleary explain loan terms, repayment obligations, and core financial literacy concepts to students and families, ensuring they understand the long-term impact of borrowing and budgeting.


• Provide guidance to help students resolve financial aid issues that may affect their ability to enroll or continue their education.

File Compliance & Processing

• Accurately package and process financial aid awards in full compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.


• Ensure student records are complete and up to date to facilitate timely and accurate disbursement of financial aid.


• Proactively identify and resolve inconsistencies in student accounts to maintain financial integrity.


• Stay informed on changes to financial aid laws, policies and best practices to ensure ongoing compliance and service excellence.

Student Retention & Success

• Initiate timely communication with students regarding documentation requirements, award status updates and available funding opportunitie.


• Regularly review student accounts to ensure financial aid is applied accurately and disbursed on schedule.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with academic and student services teams to deliver a cohesive and supportive student experience from start to finish.


• Foster professional, positive relationships with students, colleagues, and external agencies to support service excellence.


• Partner with the Sr. FAO or Director of Financial Aid to enhance operational efficiency, improve student outcomes and achieve department goals.


• Maintain detailed records of all student interactions and ensure financial aid documentation is accurate, complete and compliant.

At Arizona College of Nursing, we believe in a collaborative approach where all colleagues work together towards our shared goals. It's important to note that this list doesn't cover everything you’ll be asked to do or need to do. We value adaptability and flexibility as we grow and evolve as an organization.

What We Need From You:

To perform this job successfully, an applicant must have professional demeanor, the ability to work independently, understand goals and deadlines and possess excellent communication and organizational skills.

Must have:

• High school diploma or equivalent.


• Minimum of 1 year of experience in financial aid, student services, customer service, or a related field.


• Strong customer service orientation with a genuine passion for helping others.


• Detail-focused with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.


• Excellent communication and counseling skills.


• Self-motivated and capable of working independently while thriving in a collaborative team environment.


• Must be eligible to enroll in the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).

Nice to have:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.


• Prior experience in higher education or financial aid administration.


• Familiarity with Title IV regulations and institutional financial aid policies.


• An understanding of financial literacy principles and student loan repayment options.

Work Location: Position is fully onsite at an assigned campus

Our schools prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law.

What We Are Offering You:

Competitive pay and opportunities for professional development. Dynamic organizational culture within a supportive working environment. Rest and relaxation with generous PTO and holiday benefits. Robust health and welfare benefits package including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision. Preparation for the future with a 401(k) and company match.